The Art And Science Of Communication In A Work Setting

In his classic treatise, 'Art of War,' the ancient Chinese philosopher and military strategist Sun Tzu expounded on the importance of communication

. He said that if the orders are not clear and the soldiers disobey or fail to act correctly, it is the fault of the commander. On the other hand, if the orders are clear and the soldiers are still unable to comply, it is the fault of the soldiers.

The basic principles of Sun Tzu's Art of War are still valid today and widely applied not only in military strategies but also in business. Communication is an essential element in any organization and it can be done in several ways. When it comes to communication in a business or work setting, the clarity of message is very important. Aside from oral communication, written communication is also very commonly used in the form of memos, reports and manuals.

Workers must always have clear direction regarding their tasks and the management must also have ways to get efficient feedbacks. Just like in other settings, communication is essentially a two-way street. It is not a monologue but rather a dialogue. It is not only about sending a message but more importantly about mutual understanding and feedbacks.

The managerial hierarchy is both a sender and receiver of message. The same is true for the rank and files of the work force. Effective communication is only possible if both parties understand not only the meaning or content of the message but also able to response accordingly.

Formal communicating within a large organization with multiple tiers of authority and wide varieties of compartmentalization/specializations is sometimes difficult and slow. This is primarily because of the different levels of channels and processes involved. For instance, evaluation forms and feedback forms may take several days to be processed and communicated to the higher management.

Even with the use of computers, fax machines, telephones, and teleconferencing technologies, informal communication in a large business organization is sometimes still the fastest although not very accurate. The so-called communicating through the 'grape vine' or rumor mills can be exploited in a practical manner.

One study suggests that corporate policies and practices are oftentimes spread more effectively within an organization through informal means. This is particularly true in periods of uncertainties, when employees are expecting either positive or negative outcomes. Some examples include promotion issues, possible bonus, transfer or layoff issues, and cost-cutting.

by: Johnathon F Black

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